History is filled with examples of women who have led their countries confidently and ably. During this time of turmoil and uncertainty, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, has led her country and the world as it faces the daunting challenge of COVID-19. Nancy Pelosi, the current Speaker of the House in the U.S., has successfully navigated a treacherous political environment.
Sheikh Hasina Wajed is currently serving as the prime minister of Bangladesh and working to alleviate hunger. Nirmala Sitharaman is the first full-time female finance minister for India. She also serves as the minister for corporate affairs.
Jacinda Ardern is the youngest woman leading a country in the world. Under her leadership, New Zealand is making great strides against COVID-19.
Queen Elizabeth II has served her country for 67 years. She has been Queen of England longer than any other monarch in history. As the first woman to lead Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen has worked to maintain Taiwan’s independence from China. She has managed to retain power despite the precarious political environment.
Although a fiscal conservative, Erna Solberg has brought a humanistic philosophy to her leadership of Norway. She has worked to improve women’s rights. Nicola Sturgeon is simultaneously serving as both First Minister and the leader of the Scottish National party. She’s the first woman to hold either position.
As Prime Minister of Belgium, Sophie Wilmes is the first woman to hold that title. Before that, she had been the minister of budget, civil service, national lottery, and scientific policy. The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, is the second woman to serve in that position and the youngest in the history of that country.
Sri Mulyani Indrawati is the current minister of finance for Indonesia. She was the recipient of the World Government Summit’s Best Minister award. Zuzana Caputova is an activist who is now the first female and youngest president of Slovakia. Ana Brnabic, the Prime Minister of Serbia, is the first woman and openly gay person to serve in that position. Sahle-Work Zewde is Ethiopia’s first female president as well as the only woman leading a country in Africa.
There’s no doubt about it– women are making positive contributions in leadership positions around the world!